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High Pony is a fresh entrant in the beverage space, offering a line of low-sugar, ready-to-serve cocktails and mocktails. Founded by Carmen Sandor, the brand is on a mission to deliver a premium drinking experience without the high sugar content of traditional cocktails. Whether for those embracing the sober-curious lifestyle or simply looking for a less caloric option that doesn't compromise on flavor, High Pony’s products aim to make every occasion special—alcohol or not.
For Carmen, launching her brand meant creating a standout online presence that would reflect the disruptive, unapologetically confident energy of their product line. She needed a high-quality storefront that could integrate seamlessly with their social media strategy while avoiding the exorbitant fees quoted by agencies.
Saved $30,000-$40,000 in website development
Storefront completed in < 3 months
Seamless alignment with brand vision and future retail strategy
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"I loved how easy it was to manage everything on the site. We didn’t need to hire developers for small changes—we could handle it ourselves."
High Pony began with a phased product launch approach–starting with mocktails in late 2023, followed by cocktails in 2024. For the latter, they needed a smooth, engaging online storefront that resonated with consumers and aligned with their social presence on Instagram and TikTok. Having worked primarily in specialty retail (licensed liquor stores) for her previous brand, Carmen lacked ecommerce experience and was wary of the risks involved in hiring agencies.
"With my first brand, we focused on retail, so I never really needed a strong online presence. But with High Pony, I knew from the start we had to live in the digital world," Carmen shared during our conversation.
When Carmen reached out to agencies, she received quotes ranging from $30,000 to $75,000. "I didn’t want to spend that kind of money on a store before knowing if it would even work," she explained. Given Carmen’s background in investment banking, she was wary on how that investment would impact the profitability of her business. Time was also a concern: the storefront needed to be up and running quickly, yet most agencies proposed lengthy timelines that didn’t align with High Pony’s launch schedule.
"I loved how easy it was to manage everything on the site. We didn’t need to hire developers for small changes—we could handle it ourselves."
Carmen Sandor
Founder, High Pony
Carmen partnered with Platter to develop High Pony’s storefront, drawn by the promise of flexibility, quick turnaround, and affordable pricing. What stood out most was Platter’s ability to over-deliver without the bureaucracy of traditional agencies.
"Platter was ready to go after just one conversation, and they nailed the design," Carmen recalled. "They gave us everything we wanted without the usual headaches or back-and-forth revisions."
Within 90 days, Platter built a custom Shopify storefront featuring:
"I loved how easy it was to manage everything on the site. We didn’t need to hire developers for small changes—we could handle it ourselves."
Carmen Sandor
Founder, High Pony
High Pony’s partnership with Platter resulted in:
"Platter’s team was incredibly responsive—every time I had a question, they got back to me in 30 minutes or less," Carmen noted. "Even after the site was done, they stayed engaged and available to help."
High Pony's mocktails are set to hit the market first, followed by their cocktail line in March 2024, just in time for retail distribution. The saved development costs allowed the brand to reinvest in marketing efforts for Dry January/Dry February and other key promotional periods. Carmen plans to leverage the online storefront to drive early traction, ensuring their retail launch has strong momentum.
"We’ll be focusing heavily on social media marketing in November, and thanks to the savings from Platter, we can really push our campaigns during key seasons like Dry January," Carmen explained.
"I loved how easy it was to manage everything on the site. We didn’t need to hire developers for small changes—we could handle it ourselves."
Carmen Sandor
Founder, High Pony
Switching to Platter was a pivotal decision for High Pony. Platter’s affordability, speed, and ease of use allowed Carmen’s team to launch their digital storefront without the heavy costs or delays associated with agencies. With their online presence now in place, High Pony is ready to build momentum ahead of their retail launch.
"Platter delivered exactly what we needed—fast, affordable, and beautiful. I’ve already referred several other brands to them," Carmen shared. "I can’t imagine working with anyone else."
By aligning with Platter, High Pony has positioned itself to thrive both online and in retail, ensuring their brand can make an impact from day one. With a storefront designed for growth, the brand is prepared to meet consumer demand and deliver a standout beverage experience.
As of this publication, High Pony is gearing up for the official online launch of their brand. We look forward to revisiting later this year to gather data on storefront performance and identify opportunities to further enhance their customers' shopping experience.
"I loved how easy it was to manage everything on the site. We didn’t need to hire developers for small changes—we could handle it ourselves."
Carmen Sandor
Founder, High Pony
"I loved how easy it was to manage everything on the site. We didn’t need to hire developers for small changes—we could handle it ourselves."
Carmen Sandor
Founder, High Pony
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